Simone Inzaghi reveals Benjamin Pavard was ready to play against Lecce, but Yann Aurel Bisseck ‘deserved to be confirmed’ as the German defender has been ‘working hard and quietly.’
Bisseck gave Inter the lead minutes before the break against Lecce with his first goal for the Nerazzurri on Saturday.
He has been playing regularly over the last few weeks due to injuries to Pavard and Stefan de Vrij.
“Bisseck is a lad who signed for Inter on July 13 thanks to Marotta and Ausilio. I didn’t know him,” Inzaghi admitted during a post-match interview with DAZN.
“I had watched some videos. He kept improving in training, working quietly. Pavard was ready to play tonight, but Bisseck deserved to be confirmed because he is doing well and he must continue like this. Now, he must not lower his guard.”
Inter had been eliminated from Coppa Italia by Bologna on Wednesday but immediately bounced back despite going to extra time mid-week.
“Praise to the guys; we played 120 minutes on Wednesday against an organised team, very well-coached and with dynamic players,” said Inzaghi.
“We played well in the first half [against Lecce], we created a lot. Lecce attacked at the beginning of the second half, but after our second goal, we managed the game well. It was important to win and it was not guaranteed after Wednesday’s game. I am really satisfied.”
Marko Arnautovic replaced Lautaro Martinez and delivered a lovely backheel assist for Nicolò Barella’s goal after the break. He joined Marcus Thuram in the starting XI, while Alexis Sanchez was introduced in the second half.
“They [Thuram and Arnautovic] only missed the goal, but they worked really well,” said Inzaghi.
“They must continue like this. Sanchez is back too. I am really happy with what they did. Let me mention Carlos Augusto and Darmian who had played 120 minutes two days ago and they did really well tonight.
“We knew Lecce were an aggressive team, but our central midfielders did great work; they had rested on Wednesday, and you could tell. The strikers didn’t score but worked hard for the team, so it’s like they scored for me.”
Arnautovic admitted after the game that he’s going through a difficult moment.
“He did great work, which was appreciated by everyone: the club, the staff, the fans and most importantly, his teammates,” concluded his coach.
Inter have now restored their four-point lead over second-placed Juventus. Their next game, the last one of 2023, is against Genoa at Marassi this coming Friday.